Zuri nodded, her heart dropping. In a few hours, Daemon would disappear from her life forever.I have to get used to it.
“Time to go home already, huh?” Blaine continued. “Are you sure? Things are boiling over there.”
“I want to be there for the transition,” Zuri said.
“You gonna miss us?”
“Leave her alone, Blaine,” Roland said, arms crossed over his defined chest. “She’s got enough to worry about without thinking about your face.”
Zuri chuckled while Blaine exaggerated a wince. “We’ve given her excellent service. Why wouldn’t she think of us?”
“I am going to miss you,” Zuri said. “And my time here has been wonderful, thank you.” Zuri hugged Roland. “Thank you, Roland.”
“You’re very welcome, Miss Zuri. Stay safe and we look forward to hearing great things about you and your country.”
“I hope I don’t disappoint you.”
“Don’t I get a hug?” Zuri smiled at Blaine and looped her arm with his. They walked out to a waiting black SUV. “You haven’t answered my question.”
“What question?” Daemon appeared carrying the suitcases. The back door rose. He placed them in the back of the SUV.
“Thank you, Daemon,” Zuri said. “You don’t have any luggage?”
“Won’t be staying long enough to pack one. I have everything I need on the plane.”
“Oh.”
“What question?”
“Zuri hugged Roland but didn’t hug me,” Blaine said in a playfully disappointed tone.
“I promise to hug you goodbye when we land in Bendola,” Zuri said. Blaine winked and hopped into the front passenger seat.
Zuri caught Daemon’s blank expression. He closed her door after she settled into the back seat. Daemon slid onto the seat beside her from the opposite door and the vehicle surged forward.
Daemon pulled out his tablet and tapped the screen. Zuri tried catching his gaze, but he didn’t glance up. She thought of something sharp to say to pick a fight, but all she could think of were apologies. Did he believe she wasn’t grateful for all he’d done?
“Thank you for doing this,” she said softly. “I would’ve regretted not meeting Tessa.”
He still looked at the screen. “No other regrets?”
“One.” His gaze met hers.You.
“How long will you need? For the meeting?”
Zuri blinked. “Um, not long. Tessa is very interested. I’m sure I won’t have to convince her.”
“Tessa’s good people. Her and her husband. You’ll like working with her company. They truly put people first. But we’re on a schedule, so when you’re finished, we’ll get you home.”
He went back to looking at his tablet. Zuri bit her lip as the silence continued. “How was your meeting with your father?”
The muscles of his jaw and throat tensed. He looked up. “Fine. I’ve decided to take over Knight Industries.”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
“Congratulations.”
